Throughout my legislative career I have had the honor and privilege of serving on the Committee for Veterans Affairs. This is one of the few committees that works very well in a bipartisan fashion, this session however the Republicans in the Assembly turned their backs on many of our Home Front Heroes.
Last session Republican legislators ignored the outcry of thousands of Wisconsin Veterans and approved a bill which delays the legal rights of veterans facing health care issues related to asbestos and mesothelioma.
I fought against this bill and I am ashamed that the Governor signed it into law. Instead of honoring our heroes, Republicans sided with corporate special interests and made it impossible for veterans to fight for their rights.
This law goes against Wisconsin's long history of honoring and protecting the brave men and women who have served and put their lives on the line for our country.
In the line of duty, veterans often come in contact with asbestos and that exposure can have devastating side effects including cancer.
There will be new legislation introduced by my colleague Representative Dana Wachs that corrects this injustice and I have already agreed to be a co-sponsor.
Voters and especially veterans need to know where the candidates stand on this issue. We owe a debt to our Home Front Heroes and it is our moral duty to restore justice for veterans and their families.
